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OFFBEAT SKIing 101

You Can Ski . . . There?

Sunday, January 23, 2005; Page P02

Had enough of the sooty fireside lodges, slathered-on Chapstick and frozen noses of a ski vacation? Nearly every state in the United States has ski destinations, including those in these warmer-weather climes. Stuff your ski jacket in your luggage next to your shorts and T-shirts and head for one of these locales, which are seeing more snow so far this year than in recent winters. -- Elissa Leibowitz Poma

 LAS VEGAS SKI AND SNOWBOARD RESORT

(Las Vegas Ski And Snowboard Resort Dave Bassett)

Best for . . . those in need of fresh air after barricading themselves in a casino playing the slots.

When to go: Late November through early April.

What's there: A lot of snow. A lot. Sixteen feet of it, in fact. (The resort usually sees 10 feet a year.) Sadly, a series of avalanches hit Mount Charleston in mid-January, killing one person and closing the resort temporarily (call 702-593-9500 for recorded updates). When it's in full swing, the resort has 10 slopes for various levels. Though it's not a fancy, high-priced ski destination, the resort does have a mom-and-pop feel, making it especially nice for families. Temperatures are usually 20 to 30 degrees cooler than in Las Vegas, and quite a few skiers head downhill in shorts and T-shirts in the spring, says base operations manager Craig Baldwin.

Cost: $38 for a day pass; $30 to rent full ski or snowboard equipment. Jackets can be rented for $15.

Getting there: The resort is a 45-minute drive from downtown Vegas. Head toward Reno on state Highway 95, then pick up Highway 156. The resort is 17 miles from there.